"LAVEZARES today is towards tourism and cultural development... it is endowed with God's giving gift of nature's beauty and splendor. People must see and appreciate what Lavezares can offer. (Honorable Mayor Quintin B. Saludaga)

Town History in Progress

History of Lavezares

The Creation

Lavezares (Pinonayan) was only a visita of La Granja (now Allen) during the late 19th century. With the advent of Spanish colonization, hispanization of visitas and pueblos was made. Hence, Pinonayan was changed to Lavezares in honor of the second Spanish governor-general in Las Islas de Filipinas, Guido de Lavezaris.

On January 7, 1875, it became a pueblo when the Spanish governor-general issued a bando (an executive decree) separating visita de Lavezares from La Granja with the visitas of Barobaybay and Socjan (now Villa) part of it. Silvino Flores who served from 1875-1877 was the first capitan of the pueblo by virtue of an appointment. On November 26, 1878, the king of Spain issued a cedulario which expressed his approval on the establishment of pueblo de Lavezares.

The governor-general approved the creation of the pueblo in response to the petition submitted by officials to make these four visitas a separate pueblo independent from La Granja. The petition was signed and submitted by the leaders of Pinonayan, Socjan, Barobaybay, and Mamban (now Rosario which later became part of Bobon).

With the creation period going on, the island of Bani and San Juan; Villahermosa, Urdaneta, San Miguel, Macarthur, Libertad, Enriqueta, Toog, Malico-lico (Salvacion), Datag and Sumisip (San Jose) were included.

Years passed and the following sitios were created into barangays by virtue of RA 2370 and 3590; they were Chansvilla, Balicuatro, Magsaysay, San Agustin, Kaluy-ahan (Maravilla) and Libas. Later on Presidential Decree No. 86 allowed the creation of the districts inside the Poblacion as independent quasi-government units which has the same juridical personality as those created under RA Nos. 2370 and 3590. Those districts that were made into barangays were Caragas, Ocad, Caburihan, Cataogan and Sabang-tabok, to complete the present-day twenty-six barangays of Lavezares.

The Early Settlers

The first settlers of what is now the municipality of Lavezares came from the eastern side of Samar and from the Bicol Region. Mariano Ubas, was believed to be the son and leader of the settlers who were also believed to have their first settlement along a sturdy balite tree in the SabangRiver(now the PinonayanRiver) which was frequently visited by bats and birds. One of the birds they liked (because of its melodious voice) was ponay. Ubas, then, conferred with the settlers to name the place Pinonayan.

There was this anecdote by Melecio Cuyco(as retold by his forebears) which said that there was once a man who had just came from gathering ponay and was asked by a passing Spaniard about the name of the place. The man believing he was being asked what was inside his basket (which was filled with ponay) answered him �ponay�. The Spaniard concluded that the name of the place was ponay (or Pinonayan).

It was believed that a group of people from the southern tip of the BicolPeninsula migrated and settled in this place. They actually escaped from the Spanish authorities who were then recruiting able-bodied men to fight the insurrectos or help build galleons. The place was then a wilderness. However, its rich natural resources made them stay behind. These early settlers were the Ubases, the Tremenios, the Floreses, the Adriaticos, the Bogtongs, and the Esplanas.

In Villa, the early settlers were the Policarpios, Porlages, Pambuenas, Estavillos, Salvadors, Galvez, and the Cadlits. In Bani, were the Orias, Cagsawas, Algordos, and Rosadi�os. They came from Bicol and Palapag.

As early as the 18th century, it is believed that San Juan was already occupied by several nomads from Almeria, Leyte on board a tinalapi, a native kind of sailboat characterized as being surrounded by higher nipa shingles to protect it from big waves. Sixta Bacalando led this group of nomads. They escaped from Leyte because they were subjected to quintos by Spanish authorities as they refused to be converted into Christianity. The group first landed in Barobaybay and has sought permission to build a settlement from Teniente Vicente Ymata, who was then the leader of the visita and who later became a teniente of San Juan. Permission was not given them; instead they were led to Maravilla. Agapito Maravilla, who was then the leader of the village, did not allow them either to build a house in the area. Hence, they were forced to look for a deserted place, which fishermen in nearby fishing villages used to call Hurunan, to mean a place for resting and refuge. By the mid-18th century, another wave of migration to Hurunan happened from the BicolPeninsula and Palapag with the eruption of Mt.Mayon and the Palapagnons resistance against polo or forced labor. On this second wave came the Sorios, Gamaos, Ebuengas, Rosadi�os, Aticaldos, and Gallegos. These people went on to populate the island barangays. Hurunan later became San Juan. It was believed that before the 19th century ended, a British came to San Juan and established a nipa wine factory locally called manyan at Alacsiman, Taberna, a place in the upland. This was confirmed when during late 90�s, wine jars were discovered by the people in the island.

In Enriqueta (old name, Sinimangan), the first settler was the family of Bernabe Cupido and Apolinaria Galindez who came from Eastern Samar.

In Barobaybay, the early settlers were the Llegoses (from Cuba), Balags, Escobers, Martireses, and Garduces who came from Bicol and Palapag.

In Urdaneta (old name, Looc to mean a curvaceous natural harbor), the early settlers were the Balberans, Doloms, Buezons, and Puasos who came from Sorsogon and Catanduanes. They migrated to this place after they had known that the area is yet undiscovered. With the arrival of Father Andres de Urdaneta, the name of the village was changed to Urdaneta in honor of him. Father Urdaneta is a Spanish missionary priest who was believed to be the first priest to have arrived in Lavezares(Pinonayan then).

In San Miguel, the early settlers of the barrio were the Diegos, Matnogs, Unays, and Nuez who came from Sorsogon. Matnogs were the ones who have brought the Aglipay denomination.

Moro RaidsDuring the 17th century, the Moros, the marauding pirates, and other brigands would come to Pinonayan through the Pacific Ocean. These intruders would attack the locals, robbed them of their possession, and looted whatever could be divested from the locals. The mal-adventurism of these Moros and the piratas were so ruthless that they hurt the locals who resisted.As the locals were not adequately equipped let alone prepared, the brigands almost always succeeded in their evil ways. The very few times that the marauders were not successful were when the natives were amply forewarned of the coming intruders. The forewarning in whatever fashion gave them time to prepare and coordinate their defenses. This factor gave impetus to the community�s decision to establish a crude defense capability � an observation post in nearby Tarangban, and a watchtower in Tabok.The observation post in Tarangban was called Man-awan (a watching area), while the watchtower in Tabok was were the locals put up a structure where big lantakas (bamboo cannons) were installed for their community defense. They called the facility Baluarte.In anticipation of forthcoming typhoons, or the proximity of marauders, the Man-awan will warn the locals thru signals (light during nighttime and smoke during daytime) to the Baluarte in Tabok.In this Baluarte, the sereno would sound the budyong (a giant shell that when used like a trumpet, can produce a sound) whenever he gets the signal from Man-awan. These signals were coded albeit limited to warnings of forthcoming evils or typhoons.And, upon hearing the sound of budyong from the Baluarte, talutangs would be used to relay the coded messages all over the poblacion and sitios up to the remotest areas in the ilawud where settlement and communities of people were found.

Spanish Occupation

Since the Spanish time, Lavezares was governed by Spanish and secular priests. But in 1875 when it separated civilly from La Granja, the town was governed by executives called �capitanes.�

People then had no formal schooling except through tutorship of Spanish priests. When Lavezares was founded in 1895, two elementary schools were established in the Poblacion. People then were taught by the Spanish teachers with the catechesis and the cartilla.

Fiesta celebration was introduced by Spanish priests. The town has its town fiesta first celebrated on August 16 (later moved to August 22). All barrios had their own patron saint. Each year the feast day of this patron saint was celebrated with a fiesta.The main attraction during town fiesta was the comedia, a drama-musicale particularly presenting story about lives of the members of a royal family. The cast came all the way from Bicol and people from nearby towns would come to see it.

Kularesi was also done during this period. This is a drama or a comedy presentation staged at a wake of a dead person. The actors were being paid for their performances.

During the Spanish occupation, Lavezares was believed to be peopled by the breed of Polahanes characterized by their red bands on their heads. They became famous particularly during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and Filipino-American War in 1899.

American Period

When the Filipino-American war broke out circa 1899, the Filipino forces (Polahanes, a guerrilla unit from Palapag and different towns of the Samar Island) who resisted the Americans, under the command of General Vicente Lukban) burned down the church in order that the American troops would not be able to use it as a stable for their horses. With the American occupation, free public school system was established. Since there were no teachers yet from the municipality, some Ilocano teachers were assigned to this place. These Ilocano teachers were Mr. Severo Soriano, Mr. Pablo Sibayan, and Mr. Ambrosio Baguisi who educated the people even up to the island barangays. Elementary education was offered by these teachers at the houses of prominent families of the villages where they assigned since there were no school buildings yet at that time.

Japanese Period

With the imminent invasion by the Japanese, Pablo Corsua, a Japanese spy, and Thomas Ferguson, an American spy arrived in San Juan. They have stayed in the same house while doing surveillance work for their respective countries. Thomas Ferguson maintained a toril or a cattle ranch. His cattles, then, were later supplied to American soldiers fighting in the war.

When war broke out in 1941, schools were closed. People went to the upland to escape from Japanese hostilities. People in Urdaneta took refuge in Puting Bato, a forestland in the area. Several voluntarios were killed by the Japanese, including civilians. In Villa, Juan Buensalida, Agosto Eser, and a certain Padilla were shot dead by some Japanese soldier at the cemetery. In Barobaybay, Teodulfo Esmabe, a Filipino soldier was killed by the Japanese. In Enriqueta, 1943 Honorato Sauro, a sanitario publico with his companion Pondoy Estillero were tortured to death by the Japanese soldiers and a man named Islao Genio was also killed by the Japanese at Sitio Baysag. In 1942, Brin brothers were tortured to death by the Japanese. Ingo Brin was killed at Malico lico. The other Brin was killed in Allen. They were killed while forcing them to reveal the exact location of the camp of Captain Pedro Merritt and the Philippine Constabulary soldiers and voluntarios at his command in Toog. In 1943 at Bani, voluntarios including Maximo Rosadi�o, Fermin Rosadi�o, Basilio Magallanes, Gaudencio Guy, Leon Ortego, Agapito Sorio, and Constancio Sorio were tortured by drowning by the Japanese soldiers. Fortunately, they survived.Japanese soldiers have forcibly taken a number of goats of Julio Turla (who later became a mayor) and Gregorio Adriatico (former municipal presidente).From 1941-1944, Captain Pedro Merritt, an American who was the the USSAFFE commander in the SamarIsland and the Filipino voluntarios established several camps all over Lavezares. These camps served as strongholds for the brave PC soldiers and voluntarios. These camps were built in Busay(San Miguel; this river supplied hydroelectric power to the encampment); in Ogsoran farm (Barobaybay); in Enriqueta near the school and in Kalpi which was established by Filipinos; in a certain mountain of Libertad; in Toog; in Man-awan, Villa which served both as a camp and as watchtower where short-wave radio signals about updates on the war and directives from USAFFE were received from Australia and; in Sitio Ilo, Caburihan. But the bigger camp was in Caragas right at the school site(LCES) with a 200-strong PCs and voluntarios. Some of these voluntarios stayed at the Algordo�s residence (now the esidence of Brigido Adriatico). (Mr. Algordo was then the municipal treasurer.) On these camps, PCs and voluntarios were trained on how to conduct guerilla operation. PCs carried firearms while voluntarios carried bolos. Voluntarios would jokingly call themselves PC-PC-hay.When the Japanese came to Lavezares, Merrit and his men retreated to the hinterlands. The Japanese who were looking for Merrit and his men burned down the house of Mr. Algordo.

The municipal presidente at that time was Pascualito Turla (a presidente from 1939-46). However, with the Japanese having occupied the area, Bob Sampilo was entrusted by the Japanese to rule the town as a puppet mayor. Some vountarios, led by Francisco Bido wanted to blow up the SabangBridge to prevent the Japanese from coming into the town of Lavezares where Merrit and the voluntarios under his command were stationed. Elias Bogtong (municipal presidente from 1916-21) opposed with this plan as the bridge was his project during his term. As Bido and his men suspected Elias Bogtong to side with the Japanese, he killed Elias Bogtong and blew up the bridge. This was in 1942.

Merrit and the PCs and voluntarios were not only after the Japanese but also against the Pulahanes(anti-Americans). They operated towards the forest to hunt for the Pulahanes. As they marched through the operation, they would sang the song\chant.

In Enriqueta, the residence of Eugenio Tingkingco who was once a presidente of the municipality of Lavezares, was converted into a clinic to care for the American soldiers, Filipino soldiers and voluntarios wounded in the war. It took refuge Captain Merritt and his wife(a nurse) and Governor Francisco Escudero, Sr. and his family who fled from Sorsogon to avoid Japanese atrocities.

In 1945 during the Liberation�s mopping-up campaign, three American fighter planes strafed the old municipal building and the old convent to clear it from Japanese soldiers.

Post-war to Present

With the Liberation in 1946, schools reopened. The Japanese had paid the people for war damages.

In November 1947, typhoon Jen hit the area. It destroyed houses and farmlands.

On April 1957, Fr. Pablo Lanuevo started the construction of the new church with the help of Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, a lone male religious organization and through a committee created for this purpose. Fund-raising campaign was done from among the people of Lavezares through accepting cash donations, making copra from donated coconuts, holding social activities, and (thereby inviting civic-conscious persons) popularity contests, and benefit shows. Juan Urbano, an architect who is a native of Lavezares, designed the building.

In November 3, 1967, Wilmeng destroyed a number of houses. Big waves reached even the distant mountain, bringing forth sands to the residential areas thus, resulting to irregular landscape of Villa, Urdaneta and Barobaybay. Its strong winds even blew away the statue of Our Lady of Assumption in front of the church.

In 1971, Enriqueta was submerged by flood caused by the overflow of SinimanganRiver.

In 1978, Mayor Basilio B. Chan died. He was the longest-serving mayor of the town who held office for about 18 years and three months, from 1960-1978.

On December 25, 1981, Dinang hit Lavezares and destroyed a number of houses. It flooded Urdaneta to as high as five feet. Salvacion Institute fell just as it was holding its Alumni Homecoming party.

On November 10 1993, typhoon Naning ravaged the area and destroyed houses and farmlands. It was considered as one of the strongest and devastating typhoons in town.

On November 26, 1994, the town celebrated its 116th Founding Anniversary with pomp and festivity. The date of the town�s foundation was soon corrected by the National Historical Institute. According to NHI, the exact date of its creation is January 7, 1875 when the Spanish governor-general, being the chief executive who had also legislative and judicial powers in the Philippines issued an executive decree (bando) for its establishment. A bando had the force of law, hence, the governor �general implemented the same by appointing at once Silvino Flores as the first capitan of the pueblo in 1875 to 1877. And so, the Sangguniang Bayan of Lavezares heeded the National Historical Institute and celebrated the foundation anniversary on January 7.

Today, the present Sangguniang Bayan has passed a resolution re-moving the date of the celebration to November 26, 1878 (the date when the Spain�s king issued the cedulario, an expression of his royal assent to the pueblo�s creation.)

It has approved the resolution to give the Lavezaresnons an ample and enough preparation for the celebration unlike when done on January 7 when everybody has just come out from a long holiday and schools are just about to be re-opened.

***Unedited Material

This undertaking is still a work in progress. As time goes by, efforts have yet to be made to complete this task of piecing events together with much accuracy which all Lavezaresnons must.

Historical Background

Lavezares was just a visita during the late 19th century. In this period of time, Barobaybay, Villa and MacArthur served as the oldest pueblos of the old municipality.

During the Spanish period, Lavezares was controlled by secular piests. It was named in honor of the Spanish General Miguel Guido de Lavezares who helped them become separated from the Municipality of Allen, and be an independent municipality. Sitios of Lavezares including Caburihan, Ocad, Caragas, Cataogan and Sabang-Tabok were converted into barangays though Republic Act 2370 (the Barrio Charter Act) and Republic Act 3590 (the Revised Barrio Charter Act). And shortly, the municipality was administered by the capitanes, presidentes and municipal mayors.

Land area and topography

Land Area

Lavezares has an estimated land area of 11,950 hectares according to the municipal profile. It is politically subdivided into 26 barangays, 12 of which are considered as inland barangays and 14 coastal barangays which can be subclassified into 5 island barangays and 9 barangays situated along the coast of the mainland.

INLAND BARANGAYS

Caburihan (Pob.)

Caragas (Pob.)

Chansvilla

Datag

Enriqueta

Macarthur

Ocad (Pob.)

Salvacion

San Jose

San Miguel

To-og

Villahermosa

COASTAL BARANGAYS

Balicuatro

Barobaybay

Cataogan (Pob.)

Libas

Libertad

Sabang-Tabok

San Agustin

Villa

Urdaneta

Bani (island barangay)

Magsaysay (island barangay)

Maravilla (island barangay)

San Isidro (island barangay)

San Juan (island barangay)

The smallest barangay is Cataogan, while the largest is Bani. According to the Provincial Physical Framework Plan of 2004�2013, the municipality is suitable for irrigated rice, fish ponds, trees and crops.

The mainland is attached entirely to the entire Samar Island. MaravillaIsland, San JuanIsland and BaniIsland are the three major islands of the municipality.

Land Topography

Land topography is generally composed of very rugged terrain with many steep and elevated areas classified as undulating to hilly. Technically, there are only two hills in the area, these are located in the southernmost part of Barangays Chansvilla and Toog. No mountain can be found in the area.

There are also no major plains but a few flat lands that not very extensive. The coastal areas of Lavezares are limited and have generally moderately terrain. Bacolods which serve as natural breakwater on different coasts of the municipality can be found along the coasts of Barangays Balicuatro, Villa, Bani and Magsaysay among others.

Land reclamation in different parts of the municipality particularly in island barangays of San Juan, San Isdro, Magsaysay and Bani is continuously being done. The coastal barangays along the mainland are similarly reclaiming lands which include the coasts of Barangays Libas, Cataogan, Sabang-Tabok, Urdaneta and Barobaybay.

Tourism

In this coastal province of Northern Samar, eco-tourism may just become an alternative income generator aside from coconuts and fishing.

Access to Lavezares has two options: from Manila, a fourteen to fifteen hours of bus ride with Roll-on Roll-off vessels from Matnog, Sorsogon to the port of Allen, Northern Samar, or taking a plane to Catarman and a jeepney ride to Lavezares both serving as the main transport facility towards this portion.

True to mention are the white sand beaches abounding among its coastal and groups of island barangays that comprises the municipality though some parts have strong underwater current not suitable for a beach resort. Current white sand beach resorts are found at barangays Urdaneta and Barobaybay and waters between BaniIsland and Barobaybay. The resorts offer huts along the beachfront and for overnight stays, tourist inns are available.

The coral reefs in BancauanIsland, BaniIsland, Barangay Maravilla and Barangay San Juan are good for scuba diving.

The sunsets can be viewed at LavezaresBay and Barangay Barobaybay, but Barangay Maravilla provides the most outstanding view because of the island's north to south orientation with just the vast sea on sight.

Education

Primary Schools - There are 26 barangay elementary school and one central school, Lavezares Central School.

Secondary Schools - Basilio B. Chan Agro-Industrial High School is the only public high school in the whole municipality, which is situated at Barangay Sabang-Tabok. It is the venue where the government can provide the youth of Lavezares the needed knowledge and skills that would prepare them not only for their college life but also to the challenges of real world. Nevertheless, there are 3 private schools offering secondary courses where 2 of which are operated by religious orders: The Holy Family Center of Studies at Caburihan and Barobaybay Academy Mission School at Barobaybay. Colegio de San Juan, where located at Libertad, offers secondary and tertiary education and serves as an alternative for thos who cannot afford to study outside the municipality.

Local officials

The political body of Lavezares was established in 1875 under the Spanish colonial power wherein the local executive was alluded as Capitanes. From 1903 to 1935, the persons who assumed the position were called Presidentes, and from 1936 until present where they were referred to as Municipal Mayors.

Position

Name

Term of Office

Capitan (appointed)

Silvino Flores

1875-1877

Justiniano Morillo

1877-1879

Victorio Alvanes

1879-1881

Evaristo Martires

1881-1883

Angeles de Leon

1883-1886

Patricio Ebron

1886-1888

Feliciano Adriatico

1888-1892

Lucio Flores

1892-1894

Anastacio Adriatico

1894-1898

Cepriano de Leon

1898-1903

Presidente (appointed)

Lasaro Cuyco

1903-1908

Martin Custan

1908-1912

Presidente (elected)

Gregorio Adriatico

1912-1916

Elias Bogtong

1916-1921

Melecio Cuyuco

1921-1927

Juan Ymata

1927-1931

Eugenio Tingkingco

1931-1935

Municipal Mayor (elected)

Antonio Martires

1936-1938

Pascualito Clutario

1938-1946

Julio Turla

1946-1955

Gabriel Querobines

1956-1959

Basilio Chan

1960-1978

Municipal Mayor

Rodrigo Chan

1978-1979 (appointed); 1980-1986 (elected)

Miguel Adriatico

1986-1987 (appointed)

Municipal Mayor (appointed)

Celedonio Saludaga, Jr

1987-1988

Municipal Mayor (elected)

Miguel Adriatico, Jr

1989-1991

Quintin B. Saludaga

1992-2001

Celedonio B. Saludaga Jr

2001-2007<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]-->

Quintin Saludaga 2007-present

LAVEZARES: One of Calbayog's Folk Dances

The Lavezares is a beautiful folk dance from Samar. The dance came from the municipality of Lavezares, Northern Samar province, hence, the name. The dance is also known to exist in Calbayog and Capul in Northern Samar.

The dance is similar to a surtido because of the assorted folk and traditional dance steps like kuradang , pi'ang-pi'ang, paseo con cambio pareja and valse with patty-cake turns; which are strung to have the dance performed.

The dance have been popularized by a an unidentified folk dance group from CalbayogCity. Researchers of the Bayanihan came across the Lavezares dance in one of their researches in Samar in the late 1970's. The dance has, since then, became a part of their Spanish-influenced dance repertoire.

The music that accompanies the dance is a lovely mix of favorite Waray melodies which are played in this order:

(1) the Pandangyado which sounds like Costurera of Ilo-ilo, played in the paseo

(2) a very short excerpt of the Kuratsa Menor/Kuradang

(3) a stylized (embellished) Duyan music with mellesmatic style almost similar to a Lancero or Rigodon music

(4) an Interlude

(5) two-part Ti Yadut music repeated twice.

The dancers wear the late 19th century fashions preferably the Maria Clara con cola for the women and an elaborate Barong Tagalog or the americana cerrada for the gentlemen. The women's cola is either tucked on the waist or held by left hand by hooking a ring to the end of the 'tail'.

posted by: Carl Jamie Simple S. Bordeos

WHERE DID PINONAYAN GET ITS NAME? (An Etiological Legend)

(Pinonayan is the former name of Lavezares. The municipality is one of the scenic and picturesque municipalities comprising the Balecuatro areas of Northern Samar. Many ask where this former name was derived. There is a factual story included in its history with regard to this, but behind its beauty is a legend that tells the origin of its name. )

STORY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS

The early setllers of Lavezares came from the eastern side of Samar and from Bicol Region. Mariano Ubas was believed to be the son and leader of the settlers who were also believed to have their first settlement along a sturdy Balite Tree in SabangRiver (now PinonayanRiver) which was frequently visited by bats and birds. One of the birds they liked was “Punay” because of its melodious voice. Ubas, then, conferred with the settlers to name the place “Pinunayan”.

LEGEND

(This is a legend by Melecio Cuyco which was retold by his forebears after his death and printed in the “History of Lavezares” printed material.)

There was once a man who had just come from gathering Ponay. He filled his basket with the birds. Later, a passing Spaniard asked the man about the name of the place. The man, believing he was asked what was inside his basket answered him “Ponay”. The Spaniard concluded that the name of the place was Ponay. As the time went on, the place was called Pinonayan.

LEGENDS OF SOME PLACES IN LAVEZARES

BUNGA

Long ago, there was a place inhabited by ten families. Every family’s house was far from each other that even one shouted with all his effort and energy, he could’nt be heard by other habitants from other houses. Houses wer built on the hillside; others on the seashore; and still others on the hiltop.

The place was very abundant in trees. Bunga tree was one of the kinds which stood there. In every angle and dimension, Bunga trees were seen sturdy.When the time went on, there was a trail made on the place. The families who used to live in far areas of the place decided to build houses beside the trail and lived there. From that small community started the growth of inhabitants of the place.

Whenever the people were asked of where they dwelled, they would answer ”There, where Bunga trees are many”. From that time on, the place was called ”Bunga”.

TABUK

Once upon a time, in a place along the seashore lived the families of the cousins Mariano Ubas and Forperio Enriquez. One day, the two rode a banca to catch fish in the sea. While they were there, there was a ship called ”vinta” which came closer to them. Boarded on the ”vinta” were the Moros who sold goods to the place.

In a no definite reason, the cousins hurried their way to avoid the coming ”vinta”. While on the seashore, a woman kept on shouting ”Tabuk na! Tabuk na!”

This was the reason why the place was named ”Tabuk”.

BANI

In a distant island, there ived an old man. He always cooked ”barani” which came from the trunk of banana and fed it to his pig.

During the Spanish Era, while the od man was making ”barani”. A Spaniard approached and asked him about the name of the place. The man answered ”barani” as he didn’t undrstand the visitor’s query.

The tme came when Philppines was under the Japanese Occupation. They went to the place where the old man lived. People of the place got afraid of them and hid themselves on the mountains, except this old and brave man who kept on cooking ”barani”. A japanese asked him. ”What’s the name of this place?”

The old man, thinking that he was asked of what he was cooking answered ”Barani”.

After the Japanese came the Americans to the island. They found the old man cookng ”barani”. Like the Spaniards and Japanese, they asked him about the name of the place; but the old man still replied ”Barani”.

”Oh! Barangay Bani!” the American ejaculated.

From that time, the island was named ”Barangay Bani”.

BAROBAYBAY

Long ago, in a place we name today Barobaybay, lived an old man by the name of Jose. At first, he was happy dwelling the place for he could produce lot of oil. But having realized his being alone, he was saddened.

Until one day, many people arived on the place. They built houses and lived there. This made old Jose reconcile happiness. As Jose traited the people as his children, they traited him as their father. Strong and loving friendship was developed on them.

Those happy days in the place suffered a draw back when Jose died. However, before he left the would, he told his people to name the place ”Barobaybay”. The word came from the terms ”Baro” meaning ”mud” and ”baybay” meaning ”seashore”. Because of the people’s love to Jose, trhey named the place ”Barobaybay”.

BATTLE OF SUKHAN(A Heroic Non-etiological Legend)

When the America invaded Sukhan, today named Villa, Americans had a good relationship with the Sukhan folks. Time came when Japanese annexed the Philippines. They went and bomed the islands of Biri and Sukhan. The people of the two islands were caught in great fear.

The Japanese predetermined that Filpinos had transferable disease, and that they feared to be communicated with the disease. The folks used this as strategy to make the invaders afraid of them. All girls of the island went out of the shores wearing no underwear. While the Japanese were approaching, the girls turned their back and faced their anus to them. Thinking that the Filipinos carried transferable disease, the Japanese desserted their way awat from the island.

When the Japanese went back to Sukhan, thay continued bombing the island. The folks solicited help from the Americans for they could not equal the force of the Japanese. Fortunately, the Americans reinforced in the battle. Amid the battle, the Japanese troop lost many of their soldiers, thus losing the battle. The left Japanese soldiers were arrested, but there was one who hid in the forest. When this man felt bored in the woods, he came out to the barrio and out of the clear blue sky, fel in love with a beatiful young lady of the place. To make the story short, the two got married and had children.

THE TALE OF HELPING(An Ordinary Folktale)

There was a place which was too far from the town. On its way leading to the town, there located a wide river. Residents of the place found difficulty in going to the town because of the fast current of the river.

A old woman lived on this place. One day, she went to the town. She was very careful in crossing the river. At a short distance, she saw a spider on a dead branch of the tree amid the river. It was going to fall into the water on a very short moment; and if it had fallen, it would die. The kind-hearted old woma saved the spider from its condition. She decided to bring the spider the land where it could be safe. But on her effort to do it, the spider kept on biting her hand. However, the woman did not mind of it and continued her way.

She was able to meet a stripling and she was asked:

”Woman, why do you still help that spider even it had bitten you alredy?” the youth interogated.

”Boy, when this insect bites me, it is only natuiral for it’s its nature; and it is a nature of people to help.”

After the encounter, the woman continued her walk while the youth thought of her words.

JUAN AND THE MOROS(A Humurous Tale)

There was once a town ruled by Moros. These Moros used to roam around the town from time to time to know the situation of the place. Whenever they did, children of the place hid themselves anywhere because they were afraid of they Moros beardy appearance.

Juan was one of the children of the place. He did all efforts just to be able to escape when the Moros were approaching.

One time, the Moros, passed by their house. Juan unnoticed they were approaching. When his mother noted him that the Moros are coming, he hurriedly hid inside his mother’s skirt. Juan didn’t last inside for he had seen a Moro with tremendous beard inside his mother’s skirt. Because of this, Juan became afraid of her mother.

THE MIRACLE OF NUESTRA SEñORA DE SALVACION(Relegious Non-etiological Legend)

Nuestra Señora de Salvacion is the patron saint of the municipality of Lavezares. Her image is placed inside the town’s church. Trough her, the people of the place asked help for their salvation.

There was a time when a super typhoon occured. The town was flooded with rain water; several houses were destroyed; waves of the sea were strong and heavy; rain, thunder and lightning were inceasant. The people kneeled and prayed to the Blessed Virgin.

The people recognized that the image of the Virgin was not on its place, nor in the entire church building. They kept on looking for it, but with their efforts, they retreived nothing.

When the super typhoon was over, the image was found on its the same lkocation in the church. But that time, the peolple had wondered for the image had seaweeds on its gament. The people believed that it was an evidence that the Virgin has gone to the sea and stopped the waves from flooding water to the land and made the sea drew back to its great pacific. If it was not because of the Virgin’s miracle, there might be more damages and misfortune brought by the supertyphoon to the town.

THE POOR MOTHER AND DAUGHTER(A Humurous Tale)

Once, there lived in a barrio a very poor family. They were so misfortuned that they could not even by clothes. The father had forsaken his wife and daughter for he didn’t know what to do to uplift their living.

When the daughter was of age, she always climbed the guava tree at one of the streets of the barrios. She picked and ate its ripe fruits. One day, while she was atop of the tree, a passing priest saw her. He was astonished when he saw the girl who had no underwear. The priest called her to climb down the tree and gave her twenty pesos so that she could buy underwear.

Happily, the girl went home. She had shown her twenty peso bill to her mother, and told her how she got the money.

”Mother, the priest saw me on the treetop. He asked me to get down of it and gave me this money to buy underwear”, told the daughter.

Astonished, the mother also went out of the house and climbed the same tree so that the priest would pay her the same compensation. Later, the preist was approaching the tree. The mother disguised and picked some ripe fruits.

The priest called her down. The woman was very happy as she lowered on the tree thinking that the priest would give her now the money to procure underwear. But to her dismay, the priest has given her two pesos for her to buy blade.

THE GIRL AND THE LITTLE EEL(A Magical Folktale)

Once there was a girl who lived with her mother near the stream. Her father was no longer alive. The girl had a pet little eel which lived on the strem. Everyday, she fed it with anything she had on hand. Her mothjer didn’t knew about this. Her mother became suspicious to her being always out of their house everyday. Until one day, the mother follwed her to the stream and found out what she was doing there. The girl unnoticed her mother. Later, she called her pet.

”Kuru-kasili! Kuru-kasili!” she ejaculated.

At once the eel came to her. She fed it and waited until it finished eating. Everything was seen by the mother.

The day arrived when they had no viand. The mother talked to her daughter.

”We don’t have viand anymore let’s fetch your pet in the stream and make it cooked.” the mother suggested.

”No mother. Don’t do it!” cried the girl.

On that time the mother didn’t insisted . but she still went on the stream not letting her cheild knew. She called the eel.

”Kasili!”

Nothing appeared.

”Kasili. Kasili!”

The eel didn’t appeared to her. Now she knew her ejaculated words were wrong. She thought of the words over and over until she was able to remember it.

”Kuru-kasili!”

At once thge eel appeared. Out of the clear sky, she caught the eel and brought it home. She kept it carefully so that it wouldn’t be found by her child.

Later, the girl walked to the stream. While she was away, her mother cooked the eel and ate. She no longer waited her dauhter as she knew that she would never eat her pet’s flesh.

In the stream, the girl called the fish.

”Kuru-kasili!”

Nothing appeared to her.

”Kuru-kasili!”The eel did not appear. The girl was frustrated and resorted to cry. Remembering her mother’s words of fetching the eel, she went back into their home.

She pnly found its bones in the dogfeed. Because she respected her mother, she did cry but didn’t utter any word. Instead, she gathered the skeleton of her pet, and got it planted on their front yard.

She always regularly visited the skeleton. Until one day, she saw it illuminating. She dug out the earth and witnessed how the skeleton turned into bars of gold. With it, the girl and her mother led comfortable and contented lives.

(This non-etiologiocal legend is retold by the parents of the compiler and was conferred by the middle-aged folks of the town.)An Birhen De La Salvacion amo an Patrona san bungto san Lavezares. Nakatindug An iya imahi sa salud san simbahan san bungto. Pinaagi sa Iya, nag-aaru bulig an bug-us na bungto sin bulig para san ira katalwasan.

(This tale was told to the compiler when he was still in elementary grade by one of his neighbors. It depicts the hospitality of Filipinos, which, as the story tells, can terrify other people’s senses.)